Sister Roselyn Heil grew up on a farm south of Marathon City, Wisconsin, along with her three brothers and eight sisters. In 1970, Roselyn and her twin sister, Carolyn, made their first vows with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. After nine years, Roselyn left the congregation, but decided to return in 2004. Since graduating from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with a bachelor's degree in social studies education and later a master's degree in culture and creation-centered spirituality, she has served in roles with Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center, the Lac du Flambeau reservation and Bell Tower Assisted Living. In early 2022, Sister Roselyn joined the Ashland area Catholic churches to serve as a Pastoral Associate at St. Mary's Parish on the Bad River Ojibwe Reservation in Odanah, Wisconsin. When talking about her new role, Sister Roselyn shared that she is glad to be back in the community where she completed her student teaching in 1975.
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Living over four and a half hours away from the rest of her community, Sister Roselyn connects with her fellow sisters through daily prayer via Zoom. Sister Roselyn explains that her personal prayer is enriched through this connection and that the sharing of their life experiences are also woven into their scripture sharing. When asked what it means to be a Catholic Sister in this time in Church history, Sister Roselyn expressed that "As a sister, I am empowered to stay with the Church. I am holding God's excessive mercy and love way above our need for mercy. I strive to actualize Christ's healing presence in tiny ways, believing that holding hands together, we hold a part of hope to transformation in a way only God knows." |
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FSPA elects new leadership team |
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Pictured above: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Marie DesJarlais, Julie Tydrich, Sue Ernster, Georgia Christensen and Marcia Baumert |
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The 82-member FSPA General Assembly completed three days of meetings, July 29 to 31, 2022, and elected leaders to serve from 2022 to 2026.
Sister Sue Ernster was elected president. Sister Sue currently ministers as FSPA Vice President. As president Sister Sue is the official representative of the congregation. She takes office Nov. 1 with the newly elected leadership team.
Sister Georgia Christensen was chosen as vice president. Sister Georgia is currently serving as FSPA Congregational Secretary. As vice president Sister Georgia will assist the president in governing and assumes the duties of the president in the event of the president's absence.
Three members were elected as mission councilors, which, with the president and vice-president, constitute the FSPA leadership team.
The newly-elected mission councilors are Sister Marie DesJarlais, Sister Julie Tydrich and Sister Marcia Baumert.
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Don't reduce discernment to a flow chart |
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"The movement of the heart surges to the Spirit's call … What sets your heart afire? Service to the poor? Teaching in a classroom? The silence of a monastery?" questions author Matthew Gummess, O. Carm in U.S. Catholic's May 26 article titled "Don't reduce discernment to a flow chart: The Spirit calls each of us in a unique way. Are you listening?"
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Upcoming Events for Discerning Women |
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Friday Virtual Adoration and Mass
Every Friday | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. CT | via Zoom
Discerning women are invited to join FSPA for virtual adoration live from the Adoration Chapel located inside St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, WI.
Virtual adoration will pause at 11 a.m. and Mass will stream live from Mary of the Angels Chapel. Virtual adoration will resume again after Mass. Click here to access the Zoom link.
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Tuesday Garden Green Thumb Gatherings
Every Tuesday | 12 - 6 p.m. CT | Villa St. Joseph, near La Crosse, WI
Sisters, partners in mission, families and community members are invited to
join us in the gardens, greenhouse and orchard on FSPA land every Tuesday through October.
Whether you wish to volunteer for half an hour or all six hours, we welcome everyone to join in the fun! Click here to learn more about this weekly event.
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Dinner and Prayer with Sister Julia
Thursday, August 25 | Chicago, IL
Join Sister Julia Walsh for dinner and prayer in Chicago, IL. Email [email protected] for more details – including time and specific location.
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Reduce, Reuse and Rob Greenfield
Thursday, September 8 | 7 - 8:30 p.m. CT | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Join us on Sept. 8 in UW-L's Student Union as we welcome American environmental activist and adventurer Rob Greenfield back to the Coulee Region! Click here to learn more about this in-person event.
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Coffee and Chat with Sister Julia
Wednesday, September 14 | Louisville, KY
Join Sister Julia Walsh for some coffee and friendly conversation. Email
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Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration | Formation | 888-683-3772 | discerning@fspa.org
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